Nahum - comfort through justice

What brings you comfort?

I guess the question that we would need to ask before that is “why do we need comfort?” At various times in our lives - whether individually, corporately as a church, community, or nation - we all experience things that cause us pain or discomfort. This pandemic has brought some level to discomfort to all of us. Where have you found comfort in the midst of this? Is it time with family? Is it reading? Is it learning to relax and trust God? Is it in eating, or drinking, or in exercise?

There was a season of about a month in the fall of 2002 when two men chose to kill people, almost at random. Over the course of that month, 11 people died. What we found out later is that these men would park their car in a busy parking lot and shoot people while lying in a hidden position in their car.

At that time, we lived in the Aspen Hill area of Rockville. Several of the shootings happened virtually just around the corner from our house. We would shop at the stores and buy gas at the very same gas stations where people were killed. I still remember the way that people would pull up to the gas stations, quickly start the pump and then get back in the car and duck - out of fear that something would happen. It took everything in me not to do the same.

I also remember hearing that the shooters were using a white box truck - which ended up being false. As I would travel home from seminary, every box truck I saw filled me with anxiety. I wasn’t paralysed, but it could have easily gone that far. How could I protect my family? How can I get prepared? I felt powerless and afraid.

I also remember the sheer relief that I felt when I heard the two men had been arrested. The anxiety was immediately dissipated. I was comforted - knowing that justice would come. For the two men, the events that transpired may have been events of dread - they had been caught, justice would be served.

This week, as we continue our look at God’s Story in Scripture, we come to the minor prophet of Nahum.

The Book and Context of Nahum

Nahum - whose name means “comfort” or “compassion” was a prophet whose message was intended to bring comfort to the people of Judah and terror for the people of Nineveh.

A few weeks ago, we considered the book of Jonah. Jonah’s brief message prompted the people of Nineveh to repent. Not long after their repentance, a new king came to power and the old ways of terror returned to the Assyrian nation.

Assyria - whose capital was Nineveh - was a brutal and vicious nation. When they would conquer a land, they would drive some inhabitants out, kill many others in brutal fashion and then repopulate the land with exiles from other nations. Their tactics would make Stalin and Hitler look weak. The New Bible Commentary depicts some of their tactics in this way...

The New Bible Commentary The Historical Situation

In the British Museum there are stone carvings taken from Nineveh which show how the Assyrians dealt with conquered cities. One shows a great heap of heads. The picture of the siege of Lachish shows three men impaled on wooden stakes outside the city, a grisly visual aid to those who were still shut up inside.Captives were often mutilated by cutting off hands, feet, noses, ears or tongues.

If Jonah served in the middle of the 700s BC, it’s likely that Nahum served about a hundred years later. He served after the fall of the northern kingdom - which happened in 722BC. He also served after the fall of the Egyptian city of Thebes - a city destroyed by Nineveh in 663BC (Nah 3:8).

So, imagine living in Judah at that time and hearing stories about the brutal activities of this Assyrian nation. You heard how the northern kingdom of Israel (or Samaria) was destroyed by this nation. You learned of the devastating actions inflicted upon the city of Thebes to the southwest. Depending on when Nahum wrote, it’s quite possible that the people of Judah would have witnessed their king Manasseh being carried off in chains by the king of Assyria to Babylon (around 650BC - 2 Chr. 33:11).

Would anyone be able to stop this Assyrian terror? Is God so angry with Judah that they too would be destroyed? Is there any comfort for Judah?

It’s in this context that God called Nahum to preach his message of comfort to Judah. This is not a coddling comfort - this is a comfort through justice.

Today, as we consider Nahum’s comforting message, we’ll consider what it communicates about God, what it communicates to God’s enemies, and what it communicates to God’s people.

Let’s begin with the source of Nahum’s prophecy...

What Nahum communicates about God.

The book of opens with a hymn to the Lord.

Nahum 1:2–7 NLT

The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies! The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet. At his command the oceans dry up, and the rivers disappear. The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade, and the green forests of Lebanon wither. In his presence the mountains quake, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles, and its people are destroyed. Who can stand before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury? His rage blazes forth like fire, and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence. The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.

In this hymn and the rest of the book, Nahum in communicating several things about God. First of all...

God is jealous !

God is not jealous like a child, but zealous that people know He is the only God. The New Bible Commentary explains it this way...

The New Bible Commentary The Message of Nahum

The word translated ‘jealous’ comes from a root meaning ‘ardour, zeal, jealousy’. It can indicate jealousy in a wrong sense or envy (Gn. 26:14; 30:1; 37:11; Ps. 73:3), but most often it means to be justifiably jealous (e.g. Nu. 5:14, 30) or to have a right zeal (e.g. Nu. 11:29; 25:11)

God has a zeal and jealousy for the right things. His “ardour” is not founded upon pretenses that are changing or emotional whims. There is none like him as we learned last week in Micah. Because of that, the worship of false gods in the northern kingdom and in Assyria prompted him to act.

He is also jealous for justice for His people. He could see that his people had been oppressed and were afraid.

God is slow to anger, but powerful in justice

As our society has become more and more advanced, we want things quickly and instantaneously. We have become so impatient. Rather than waiting for the level head of justice to be served in a fair and measured way, we cry out for justice on social media with the latest hashtags and impose the western form of an honor/shame culture by cancelling anything that we see as slightly unjust or offensive - according to our shifting standard. We want justice - we want it NOW!

But God doesn’t work that way. It was roughly a hundred years between the repentance and regression of Nineveh and Nahum’s prophecy. Their cruelty was allowed to run its course for while - but not forever. Michael Butterworth notes...

The New Bible Commentary The Historical Situation

Though God’s judgment may be delayed, it is never forgotten; he cares passionately about right and wrong. The book of Nahum makes that abundantly clear

God is aware of injustice and will deal with it, in His perfect time. It may not make sense to us, but we must remember we are not God. We don’t see the end from the beginning. We don’t get to grasp all that He is doing at each moment of time. Isaiah reminds us...

Isaiah 55:8–9 ESV

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

When looking at the broader context of scripture in light of the book of Nahum, we get to see that...

God is sovereign .

He had raised up the Assyrian empire to bring judgment on the idolatry of the northern kingdom of Israel. But this empire, even though they were the instrument of judgment on Israel would become the object of judgment.

Let’s continue with the target of Nahum’s prophecy as we consider...

What Nahum communicates to God’s opponents - justice is coming

Nahum uses some very poetic and powerful language to communicate to Nineveh that they will be destroyed. The things that they had done to others will be turned back and done to them. There will be justice. There will be vengeance.

After Nahum’s opening hymn to the Lord, he has this to say to Nineveh...

Nahum 1:8–14 ESV

But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. What do you plot against the Lord? He will make a complete end; trouble will not rise up a second time. For they are like entangled thorns, like drunkards as they drink; they are consumed like stubble fully dried. From you came one who plotted evil against the Lord, a worthless counselor. Thus says the Lord, “Though they are at full strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more. And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.” The Lord has given commandment about you: “No more shall your name be perpetuated; from the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the metal image. I will make your grave, for you are vile.”

(read part of chapter 3)

The atrocities that they commited against other nations would be turned back on them. The idols they served would turn out to be as worthless as they materials with which they are made. They would be plundered, humiliated and utterly destroyed.

Dever summarizes Nineveh’s destruction this way:

“Nahum uses different images to express the defeat that God will hand the Ninevites. Nineveh is like a powerful lion that once killed at its pleasure but will now be completely lost (Nah 2:11-12). Nineveh is like a harlot, an immoral seducer of the nations who allured and enslaved peoples (Nah 3:4) but who will now be exposed in her lewdness and made a spectacle (Nah 3:5-6). Nahum also reminds Assyria of its own victory over once-proud Thebes, the capital of the southern part of Egypt about four hundred miles south of modern Cairo (Nah 3:8-10)....Now what they did to Thebes will be done to them.” (Dever, 824).

God even communicates through Nahum the type of destruction that would befall Ninevah - a flood. Here is chapter 1 verse 8 and in chapter 2:6, Nahum gives some insight into what would happen.

Nahum 2:6 ESV

The river gates are opened; the palace melts away;

When Nineveh was finally defeated in 612BC, the river that runs around the city had been their greatest defence had become their downfall. The Babylonian army laid seige to the city. There were rains that seemed to thwart the effectiveness of the seige. Those rains eventually caused the river to overflow its banks and ripped away the walls that protected the city - allowing the Babylonian army to enter, bringing God’s promised judgment on Nineveh.

There is one other thing that God says through Nahum toward Nineveh. In Nahum 2:13 and 3:5, God says simply:

“I am against you”

What a terrible position to be in - to have the God of the universe against you. There is no one who could stand against that. The ways of God are too much.

But is God being harsh? I don’t think so. In His divine wisdom he was executing judgment on Nineveh. He was letting the hammer of justice fall.

Friend, you may be far from God right now. I’m so grateful that you are listening. The judgment of Nineveh may seem like no big deal to us today - it’s ancient history after all. But here is something I want you to consider.

Ephesians 2:3 says that all of us are

“by nature, children of wrath”

This means that our natural state from birth is adversarial toward God. The sinful state in which we find our selves at birth is deserving of God’s wrath. Now, I know, it doesn’t sound fair. But our fallen nature, which is inherited from our ancestors - and ultimately from the very first humans who brought sin into the world - corrupted all of mankind. God’s holiness and our sinfulness cannot co-exist in eternity. The Bible says...

Hebrews 9:27 ESV

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

We get this one life to live, one opportunity to make a difference, one opportunity to respond to the Gospel.

Just as God predicted the fall of Nineveh with amazing accuracy, so God has declared that there will be a final time of judgment for all humanity. The beauty of God’s plan is that he has made a way for us to be made right with him. The book of Hebrews continues...

Hebrews 9:28 ESV

so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

You see, Jesus has already dealt with our sin. For those who have turned to trust in him, who have responded to his call for salvation- he has already taken God’s wrath on our behalf. So then the final judgment will not be a time of dread and doom for those who have responded to the Gospel - it will be a time when God’s followers will get to hear that their sins had been paid in full! And we will get to hear Jesus say… (Matthew 25:34)

English Standard Version Chapter 25

‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

But to those who will reject his gracious forgiveness, for those who refuse to respond to the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection - the day of judgment will be a day of dread and doom. The message they will hear is…(Mt. 25:41)

English Standard Version Chapter 25

‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

This is the justice prepared for those whom God is against.

Friend, today is the day of salvation. Today is the day to turn and trust in Jesus Christ. Today is the day to all God’s grace to change the trajectory of your live - forever!

For the people of Nineveh - God’s judgment was sure. Nahum made it clear that they would be destroyed because ultimately God was against them - their sinfulness, injustice, idolatry and more demanded justice. In God’s perfecting time He brought justice upon Ninevah.

Which brings us to the finally to...

What Nahum communicates to God’s people.

Nahum 2:2 ESV

For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches.

God is bringing justice for his people. The threats of violence from Assyria would come to an end. The oppressors will be destroyed. God would restore the “majesty” of His people.

Beyond simply giving them this sense of hope, God communicates something very practical for the people of Judah.

Nahum 1:15 ESV

Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off.

Referencing a familiar passage from Isaiah, Nahum gives them hope and encouragement as the one who is bringing good news.

It’s as though he is saying that because God will bring ultimate justice...

Maintain your regular routine - “keep your feasts”

These feasts were often centered around various times in the agricultural cycles. Celebrating these feasts would mean that the work done ahead of time would be completed. Prepare your fields, manage your flocks, do your regular work - for God is still in control.

These feast would remind people of God’s faithfulness in the past as a point of confidence into the future (ESVSB).

Back when the snipers were terrorizing this region - it was difficult to keep routines going. We never knew when they would attack or where.

Even today, with the Coronavirus - so much of life has been upended. There is little consistency.

We continue to gather to worship as much as we can an are allowed because our times of worship remind us of God’s faithfulness throughout history. Studying the Old Testament stories, reminding ourselves of what Jesus did in the gospels and on the cross, gives us confidence for the future.

We continue to celebrate the Lord’s supper because it is our regular reminder of what God finished for eternity for us because of Jesus death, burial and resurrection. He placed gave up his life, taking our sin, so that we could have an eternal future with Him.

It almost seems like God’s message to us in the midst of all of this is

“take comfort, don’t fear, keep going, remember, I’ve got this.”

It may sound a bit simplistic - but people who are gripped by fear have a very difficult time maintaining normal routines.

For the people of Judah - this would have been a source of hope as they look forward to the day when there would be no Assyrian empire to fear.

In addition to encouraging the people of Judah to maintain their routines, he is encouraging them to

Act today, because there will be a tomorrow - “fulfill your vows”

According to the ESV Study Bible, “Some in Judah voluntarily made vows to the Lord to give Him thank offerings” (p. 1714). What would they have to thank him for? They would be able to thank him for his protection and provision, his execution of justice on their enemies.

They could remain faithful to the Lord.

As we consider the moral decline of our nation or respond to the changing requirements imposed on us by our governing authorities or seek to faithfully navigate the racial strife that is all around - it can sometime feel like living godly lives is futile.

Why not just give up and give in? Why not just succumb to the current of our society’s decline?

Does it make a difference?

I think it does. How we live and conduct our lives makes a difference in the world. Our actions communicate to others the hope that we have.

I was talking to an old friend of mine this week. He’s from El Salvador and speaks very little English. In our conversation, he said that he can notice people’s character or even his interpretation of their godliness based on their actions. He can’t always understand what they mean when they speak in English - but he can understand the condition of their heart by how they live and interact with others.

How do people see you and me? Are we being faithful to fulfill the commitment that we’ve made to Christ?

Are we living out the disciplines of godliness? -

praying,

reading and meditating on His Word,

allowing the Word and God’s Spirit to shape our actions

showing acts of kindness and mercy,

giving generously to those in need,

tithing the first fruits of what God has blessed us with

I think there is one final message for God’s people through the book of Nahum -

Be comforted in the coming execution of justice

It may seem like the world is spinning out of control. It may feel like God is just aloof and detached from all of this. Take heart, be comforted. God is still in control. He is patient, not wanting that any should perish. But there will come a day of judgment and justice. There will be a day of reckoning.

Between now and then, we need to pray for those who are against God - pray for their salvation.

Closing thoughts

Nahum was the prophet of comfort for the people of Judah as God would ultimately judge the people of Nineveh. History tells us that Nahum’s prophecy was fulfilled. Because of that, we can take heart amidst the trials of our day, recognizing that God is in control. Because of that, we can walk with confidence, faithfully fulfilling all that God has called us to do.

Let’s pray

Benediction

Romans 15:13 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

References:

Butterworth, G. Michael. “Nahum.” In New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, edited by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham, 834–839. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.

Craigie, Peter C., The Old Testament: It’s Background, Growth, and Content (Abington, Nashville, 1987)

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

Dever, Mark, The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made, (Crossway, Wheaton, 2006)

Longman III, Tremper; Raymond B. Dillard; An Introduction to the Old Testament, 2nd Ed. (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 2006)

McConville, Gordon. Exploring the Old Testament: The Prophets. Vol. 4. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2002.